Florida Tech Head Coach Justin Andrade Resigns, Takes Position At University of Pittsburgh

Coached four seasons at Florida Tech

Head Coach Justin Andrade, who led the Florida Tech men’s and women’s swimming programs for the past four seasons, is resigning to take an assistant coach position at the University of Pittsburgh. (FIT Image)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA (Florida Tech) – Head Coach Justin Andrade, who led the Florida Tech men’s and women’s swimming programs for the past four seasons, is resigning to take an assistant coach position at the University of Pittsburgh.

Andrade recently concluded his fourth season as FIT’s head coach in 2017-18. He served as an assistant coach for the Panthers during his first season at Florida Tech in 2013.

“I would like to thank President McCay, Athletic Director Bill Jurgens, David Dent, Zach Sanchez, and the entire Panther community for a wonderful five years,” said Andrade. “This is a special place I’ll hold close to my heart, and I believe the best days are ahead for Florida Tech Swimming.”

Andrade departs a Panther program that he has transformed into a consistent competitor in one of the most talent-rich conferences in Division II, the Sunshine State Conference.

“The foundation that he has laid at Florida Tech will make it easier to continue as a successful program. I wish Justin great success in his next endeavor. I know that he will be an attribute to any program that he’s associated with.”

The SSC Men’s Swimming Co-Coach of the Year in 2016-17, Andrade has coached 15 NCAA Championships qualifiers, six All-American relays and four All-American individuals during his time at the helm.

His 200 freestyle relay team of Nir Barnea, Victor Rocha Furtado, Matthew Gallene and Filip Dujmic secured the swim program’s first NCAA Championship, and just the fourth national title in Florida Tech history.

This past season, the men’s swimming team recorded its highest ever finish at the SSC Championships, finishing third overall with 549 points. Overall, Florida Tech won four gold medals and placed nine total Panthers on the podium at the 2018 SSC Championships.
Then at the 2018 NCAA Championships FIT posted four Top-5 results, including two runner-up finishes, six All-American awards.

Winners in-and-out of the pool, Andrade’s squads have been consistently recognized as Scholar All-America Teams by the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America for having a minimum team GPA of 3.0 for the fall and spring semesters.